Braces for Adults

Orthodontic braces were mainly used for teenagers in the past. Today, more adults are using braces to correct their bad bites (malocclusions) and straightening their teeth. In fact, it’s now established that around 30% of orthodontic patients are adults.

Orthodontic braces are known to be versatile and have proven to be successful when it comes to realigning the teeth. Braces work in similar ways regardless of the patient’s age, but there’s a reduced treatment time for patients whose jaws are still growing and haven’t suffered from gum disease. In short, adults can also get the same results as teens, but the duration of treatment may be a bit longer.

Can adults benefit from orthodontic braces?

A big yes! Misaligned or crooked teeth often look unattractive and can lower one’s confidence. Poorly aligned teeth, aside from aesthetics, can also result in chewing, biting and articulating problems. Generally, orthodontists are of the opinion that straight teeth tend to be the healthiest.

Some of the dental and health benefits of straight teeth:

Chances of tooth decay are reduced

Reduction in the chances of having periodontal disease

Reduction in digestive disorders

Decreased likelihood of tooth injury

Orthodontic braces, fortunately, have undergone modifications to offer adults more comfort. Today, there is a range of removable and fixed orthodontic devices to choose from, depending on the exact type of malocclusion.

There are three most common types of malocclusion, which are overbite (protrusion of the upper teeth further than the lower teeth), underbite (protrusion of the lower teeth further than the upper teeth) and overcrowding where the full adult teeth do not have enough space to grow.

Before an orthodontist recommends a particular treatment, he first treats any pre-existing dental issues such as excess plaque, gum disease, and tooth decay. Any of these conditions can be exacerbated by Orthodontic braces

What are the common types of orthodontic braces?

Some of the most common orthodontic braces include:

Traditional braces – these are strong braces that appear not to stain the teeth. They are made up of individual brackets that are often cemented to each tooth and coupled with an archwire that continuously exerts some small amounts of pressure on the teeth. Traditional braces are usually made of metal but are sometimes made of “tooth colored” ceramic and clear synthetic material. Usually, the ceramic brackets offer more comfort, but can easily be discolored by smoking, coffee, wine and certain foods.

Invisalign® – Invisalign® aligners refer to clear trays which the patient must wear for a recommended amount of time daily for the best results. They offer more comfort and are not as obtrusive as conventional braces but are also more expensive. Invisalign® aligners are not meant for all patients.

Lingual braces – these are metal appliances that are usually fixed on the tongue side of the teeth, which means it will not be visible when a patient smiles. Lingual braces can affect normal speech and tend to fall on the more expensive side.

Please get in touch with our office for questions about orthodontic braces.

The first step toward achieving a beautiful, healthy smile is to schedule an appointment